This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001657
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINS PREL CG
SUBJECT: STATEMENTS BY CIAT AND THE GDRC ON THE RCD-G'S
DECISION TO SUSPEND PARTICIPATION IN THE TRANSITION
REF: KINSHASA 1608
1. (U) The CIAT and the GDRC issued statements concerning the
Congolese Rally for Democracy-Goma's (RCD-G) decision to
suspend their participation in the institutions of the
transitions, except the army. The following are unofficial
translations of the statements issued by each entity:
COMMUNIQUE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT THE
TRANSITION (CIAT)
1- The CIAT expresses its sympathy with the feelings of
pain and sorrow that afflict the Congolese people following
the terrible massacre, which took place in Gatumba on August
13, 2004.
2- Moreover, The CIAT has learned of the declaration made
by the Congolese Rally for Democracy - RCD and notes with
regret that some of those responsible for this entity have
decided to temporally suspend their participation in the
Transitional Institutions.
3- The CIAT immediately invites RCD members who have
announced suspension of their participation in the
Transitional Institutions to retake their respective
positions in Kinshasa which is the headquarters of the
country's institutions.
4- The CIAT calls on all transition officials and
political leaders to encourage dialogue and national
reconciliation through their actions and statements. It calls
on everyone to abstain from speech or acts which may raise
tensions or foment ethnic hatred.
5- The CIAT reiterates that there is no viable alternative
to the transition process as laid down in the All Global and
Inclusive Accord and the Constitution. The difficulties
encountered must find their solutions within the transitional
institutions and within the framework of mechanisms set to
this effect.
6- The CIAT is composed of five permanent United Nations
Security Council members (China, United States of America,
France, the United Kingdom, Russia) Belgium, Canada, South
Africa, Angola, Gabon, Zambia, the European Union, the
African Union and MONUC
Done in Kinshasa August 24, 2004
GOVERNMENT'S COMMUNIQUE TO THE DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN
KINSHASA IN RELATION TO THE RCD-G'S DECISION TO SUSPEND ITS
PARTICIPATION IN THE DRC TRANSITIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Statement by Robert Mbwinga, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs
To begin with, I would like to thank you on behalf of the
Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for having
taken time from your numerous occupations to respond to our
invitation.
The government has asked me to organize this meeting to
inform your excellencies on our position regarding the
current path of the transition.
The Transitional Government of the Democratic Republic of the
Congo was surprised about the declaration made in Goma on
Tuesday August 24, 2004, by his Excellency Azarias Ruberwa,
Vice-President in charge of the Political, Defense and
Security Commission, in which he announced that the RCD-G was
temporarily pulling out of the transitional institutions. We
were surprised not only about the place where the
declaration was made, but also about its contents. In effect,
Kinshasa, as the headquarters of the country's institutions
would have been a more appropriate city to make the
declaration than Goma. The latter is remembered as one of the
cities where aggression was carried out against our country.
As far as the contents of the Vice-President's declaration is
concerned, the Government has noted that the RCD-G decision
to temporarily suspend its participation in the transitional
institutions may have been motivated by its claim to
evaluate the transition. It appears that the latter claim has
been justified on account of the massacre of Congolese people
in the Gatumba refugee camp in Burundi. The government
reminds everyone that, having denounced this repulsive act,
it has called for the setting up of an independent
international investigative commission to identify the
authors of the massacre, establish responsibilities and bring
them to justice. Before this takes place, the Vice-President
should refrain from making any speculations or hasty
declarations, because this matter is very serious and it
should be treated with great caution.
In any case, it is not secret to anyone that the transition
process has witnessed several problems since its inception.
The Government wants to stress that in all cases, solutions
have been found in accordance with the Transitional
Constitution and the All Global and Inclusive Accord, as well
as within the transitional institutions. These mechanisms
have thus far shown their efficiency and as such should not
be ignored. No one should look for ways to bring the country
back to the starting point and imperil the gains already
acquired as well as progress to set up the institutions of
the Third Republic. There is no possibility of stopping the
transition to evaluate and negotiate outside the institutions
defined by the All Global and Inclusive Accord and the
Transitional Constitution.
As a reminder, at the end of the transition's first year, an
evaluation was carried out by the government through which
each commission was called on to report on their activities.
Only the Economic and Financial Commission has presented its
report, which was adopted by the Council of Ministers. The
Commission on Political, Security and Defense Matters,
presided over by Vice-President Ruberwa is currently
examining reports by ministries under its jurisdiction before
presentation to the Council of Ministers. What evaluation
then does the RCD need?
Each of you has to remember that at the beginning of this
year, the President of the DRC held consultations with all
components and entities of the transitional government on
whether to revise the All Global and Inclusive Accord and the
Constitution. All have unanimously called for the
continuation of the transition under its current form. Along
the same lines, the presidents of the Senate, the National
Assembly and the institutions of support for democracy,
expressed their continued support for the transition during a
meeting with the President. I would like to call on all of
you Ambassadors and Chiefs of Diplomatic Missions to act as
interlocutors with your governments and to covey to your
governments the firm desire of the Congolese people to pursue
the transitional period without stops until the organization
of free and transparent elections.
As far as the government is concerned, it will continue to do
everything it can in this regard. Additionally, all relevant
ministries have been instructed to take all necessary steps
to maintain peace and security for the population and
citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Ministry of
Defense has been specifically charged with safeguarding the
apolitical nature of the army who should leave to political
actors the responsibility of addressing the current situation.
With regard to politicians and political parties, its is
recommended that they avoid all statements that can further
aggravate the situation and place the transition in peril. We
call on them to work with the government to find a positive
and prompt conclusion to this situation.
The government cannot leave out the opportunity to commend
the courage of all the RCD members who, on account of their
patriotic duty, have decided to remain in Kinshasa and
continue their participation in the transition institutions.
Finally, the Government reiterates its recognition to the
international community for the laudable and incessant
efforts it has displayed for the success of the transition
and calls on its vital role to ensure that the RCD comes to
its senses and retakes its participation in the institutions
of the republic.
Done in Kinshasa
August 25, 2004
Professor Mbwinga Bila
Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs
MEECE